The Pythagoras Industrial Museum, located in Norrtälje, Sweden, offers visitors a captivating journey through Sweden’s industrial heritage. Housed in the former Pythagoras engine factory, this living museum preserves the rich history of early 20th-century manufacturing
This unique museum, formerly known as the Pythagoras hot-bulb engine factory, gives visitors a chance to travel back in time and discover a world where engines were produced and sold all over the world. Despite the factory’s closure in 1979, it has been painstakingly restored to serve as a living museum to this day.
History and origins
Founded in 1898 as Verkstads AB Pythagoras, the company initially aimed to produce mechanical calculators. However, after this venture failed, it shifted focus to manufacturing locks, brass candlesticks, and electrical fittings.
In 1908, the factory began designing and producing hot bulb engines, which became its primary product. The company operated under the trademarks “Fram” and “Drott,” with the latter used for export markets. Farm machinery and various vessels heavily relied on these engines. At its peak, Pythagoras employed about 80 workers, making it the largest manufacturer in Norrtälje.
Museum experience
The museum celebrates Norrtälje’s rich industrial heritage, preserving the legacy of its mechanical and business history for future generations.
Today, the Pythagoras Industrial Museum offers a unique, immersive experience:
- Preserved factory floor: Visitors can explore the original production facilities, complete with functioning machinery.
- Living history: The museum brings to life the working conditions and business operations from the first half of the 20th century.
- Interactive displays: Guests can witness machines and engines in action, recreating the sights and sounds of the factory’s heyday.
- Historical offices: Original items furnish the business offices, offering insight into the administrative side of the operation.
- Workers’ homes: The museum features recreated 1940s workers’ residences, complete with period-accurate kitchens and gardens.
Family-friendly activities
Children will delight in Children’s Pythagoras, a 500-square-meter old test drive hall where they can learn and play. The museum also features smaller exhibitions and perhaps the coziest café in town, Café Smedjan. Located in the factory’s old forge, it offers a cozy spot for refreshments located in the factory’s old forge.
Visit Norrtälje: A charming town
Norrtälje is a picturesque town located northeast of Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden. Located approximately 70 kilometers from Stockholm, Norrtälje provides a tranquil respite from the bustle of urban life, all while remaining conveniently close to the stunning Stockholm archipelago.
Reaching Norrtälje from Stockholm is straightforward with several transportation options:
- By Car: The drive takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic conditions. Simply head north on the E18 highway, then follow the smaller roads leading to Norrtälje.
- By Bus: Frequent bus services connect Stockholm and Norrtälje, with the journey taking approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
- By Ferry: During the summer months, a scenic ferry route offers a picturesque voyage through the Stockholm archipelago, arriving at Norrtälje’s harbor.
Whether visiting by car, bus, or ferry, Norrtälje is easily accessible from Stockholm, making it an ideal destination for a day trip or a weekend getaway.
